No one wants a war

One of my friends asked for my views as to whether there will be war between India and Pakistan.My answer is "No". No one wants a war. China does not want a war.If there is a war between India and Pakistan, China's investment of 47 billion US dollars in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will go "Kaput".There will be brinkmanship,but no war.Successive Indian PMS--like Vajpayee after parliament attack in 2001 and Manmohan Singh after Mumbhai attack in 2008--have concluded it is cheaper to bear the cost of a terror attack than go in for a provocative response.I personally believe that had there been military response after Parliament attack, Mumbhai attack would not have taken place.

During Lok Sabha electons, Amit Shah,President of BJP boasted "Even a cockroach will not cross Line of Control (LOC) and enter India,if Narendra Modi becomes Primeminister". Whether or not Modi shared this optimism, we do not know. Reality must have dawned on both these men now and hopefully, vainful boasts will stop.

Modi' speech in Kozhikode on Saturday reflected his high level of maturity.He did not indulge in rhetoric of retaliatory attacks.Instead ,he appealted to the people of Pakistan to know where their leadership is taking them. "Let us a wage a war on poverty",thundered Modi. I do not know whether his message will reach the people of Pakistan.He had clearly stated that instead of spending money on economic development, Pakistan is spending money on breeding terror. I liked his strong statement "India is exporting software.Pakistan is exporting terror".This clearly showed where Pakistan leadership is going wrong.Unfortunately,Pakistan media has termed Modi's speech "venomous".

Modi has clearly stated that the sacrifice of 18 soldiers will not go in vain.He also said that India will not so easily forget "URI". Reports indicate that the Indian Army has been given full powers to "deal with the situation" in the border.